What Woo utilized as his instrument was the second phase of the examination. The exam for promotion from Grade 5 to Grade 4 consisted of two parts.

The first was an individual examination taken over two days. This tested the candidate’s knowledge of Confucianism and their understanding of their duties.

“Compared to the second part, this is as easy as eating cold porridge.”

Most of the applicants had already proven their academic and professional aptitude. In fact, only such individuals were encouraged to apply. The true filter was the second exam, which Woo was targeting. It was known as the “Month of Hell.”

• Candidates draw a single ball from a concealed box.
• Those who draw the same colored ball form a group. In this way, groups are formed with one member from each of the Six Ministries, the Legislative Review (Legislative Review), and the Judiciary (Judiciary).
• These newly formed groups are then given an assignment. The task is to draft a policy for managing the Empire, along with the legal standards and regulatory criteria necessary for its implementation.
• Grading is based on cooperation, coordination skills, and leadership demonstrated during the process. Of course, the completeness of the final proposal is also a crucial criterion.
• Three evaluators are assigned to each group, and pass/fail is determined based on their individual assessments.
• The second exam takes one month to complete, followed by fifteen days for grading.

It was a grueling exam that made people say, “Just hearing the name again makes me want to vomit.” And most who had taken it would say this:

“Taking that exam makes you realize why ‘Communal Property Equal Distribution Theory’ is nonsense.”

Since ‘leadership’ was included in the evaluation criteria, the power struggles and butting of heads to become the leader were intense. The problems given as assignments were formidable as well. They were tasks related to the operation of the entire Empire—in other words, tasks that intertwined all Six Ministries, the Legislative Review, and the Judiciary.

Meaning, a ‘sweet situation where only I am comfortable’ was impossible. Furthermore, even after coordination, the feeling that ‘I took on more work’ was unavoidable, leading to frequent disputes. And the evaluators meticulously recorded and assessed all of this. Because it was this kind of exam, Woo had chosen it as the ‘optimal instrument.’

***

“With this background, I intend to assign ‘Total War’ as the subject for this exam.”

“Hmm…”

Hyeon, nodding as he listened to Woo’s report, asked him.

“Is that the only reason you chose this exam?”

“No, Your Majesty. ‘Total War’ is not something that will happen right now. It is a measure to prepare for situations that may arise in the future. Those taking the exam now will be the ones running the court when that ‘future’ arrives. If they understand and contemplate it in advance from now, they will be able to navigate well when the real event occurs.”

“A good answer.”

Satisfied with Woo’s response, Hyeon stamped his seal on the proposal and continued.

“While you are at it, explain it properly to the Prime Minister and the ministers as well.”

“…Yes.”

The next day, Woo explained his plan to the Prime Minister and the ministers.

“…This is how it will be.”

Hearing Woo’s explanation, Han Chi-hyeong and the ministers calculated the possibilities and the pros and cons. After calculating for a moment, Han Chi-hyeong stepped forward and addressed Hyeon.

“The Crown Prince has devised a truly excellent method. It would be best to proceed as proposed.”

Following Han Chi-hyeong, Seongjun added his words.

“If those currently working with Ming and Japan are working at the front, those who pass this exam will be the right people to support them from the rear. If those at the front move progressively and those at the rear support them steadfastly, the Empire will have no worries.”

“It brings me great joy to see the Crown Prince devising such excellent methods in conducting state affairs. With the Crown Prince being so wise, the future of the Empire is bright.”

“Hahaha! To hear you speak so favorably makes me truly happy as a father before being an Emperor. However, the Crown Prince’s experience is still shallow, so I hope you lords will do your utmost to assist him.”

“We receive your command!”

Hyeon looked at Woo with a proud expression.

‘Rascal! He kept making me anxious, but now he’s doing it properly!’

With the ministers showing a positive reaction and the Emperor granting permission, Woo’s method was chosen. And the applicants taking the exam this time ended up losing sleep.

“I hear the second assignment this time came from the Emperor Emeritus…”

“Haa~. Should I give up this time? Even if I fall behind my peers in seniority…”

“That’s not easy either. It started with the Emperor Emeritus, but the execution is by the Crown Prince. If you make a wrong move, you could get on the Crown Prince’s bad side.”

“If that happens, your career is done for…”

“What should I do…”

Although the applicants tossed and turned in agony, they eventually chose to take the exam.

“If I take it and fail, it’s ‘bad luck,’ but if I give up, I’ll be marked as ‘incompetent’.”

“The answer was already decided.”

***

Even while Unjong-ga was buzzing with the exam that would identify those responsible for the Empire’s rear in the future, the officials conducting the collaboration with Ming and Japan were devoted to their assigned tasks.

“Those currently working with Ming and Japan will be responsible for the Empire’s front lines in the future, and those who pass this exam will be responsible for the Empire’s rear.”

As the words Seongjun spoke to Hyeon spread, these officials felt both pride and burden simultaneously.

“The fact that His Majesty the Emperor said nothing to Lord Seongjun’s words means that His Majesty also acknowledges the importance of the work we are doing!”

“If we fail to show good performance in the process of accomplishing this task, promotion will become a ‘pie in the sky’!”

Realizing once again that this was both an opportunity and a crisis, the Imperial officials began to cling to their work even more fervently. No, they didn’t just work hard themselves; they began to hound the officials of Ming and Japan.

“Come now! Come now! The day has dawned again! Let’s work. Work!”

“Considering the time it takes for news to arrive from the Ottomans and Persia, we cannot just sit and wait in the meantime! We must prepare in advance to respond immediately! Let’s work, work!”

At the Imperial officials’ frantic drive, the Ming and Japanese officials were reduced to tears.

“Did these people take the wrong medicine…”

“It’s already physically taxing…”

Even after starting the collaboration, the Ming and Japanese officials had been struggling to keep up with the Imperial officials’ work speed. But now that they were accelerating even further, the Ming and Japanese officials began to wail.

“Let’s rest a bit. Let’s do it after a break!”

“I’m going to die at this rate!”

At the complaints of the Ming and Japanese officials, the Imperial officials scowled.

“Ho! What is the duty of a subject! Is it not to risk one’s life for the country! Neglecting state affairs because it’s hard? What disgraceful behavior is this!”

“If it’s hard, submit your resignation and ask them to send someone new. That would be comfortable.”

“Submit your resignation. Then you can be comfortable. You can rest comfortably… forever!”

At the Imperial officials’ reaction, the Ming and Japanese officials gritted their teeth and clung desperately to their work. They, too, knew well that this task was a critical juncture that would decide their futures.

“If we pass this well, it’s smooth sailing, but if we mess up, we’ll end our lives rotating through dead-end posts!”

“If we threw our hats into the ring as officials, shouldn’t we aim for success and fame!”

Eventually, they too stacked restorative medicine and black bean tea by their sides and began to cling to their work.

***

Having organized matters regarding Persia’s internal affairs to some extent, the officials of the Empire, Ming, and Japan turned their gaze to the Ottomans.

“Among the sons of the current Sultan, Bayezid II, the most prominent are three: Korkut, Ahmet, and the one called Suleiman or Selim—these three.”

“Who is the most powerful among the three?”

“Both Korkut and Suleiman have tasted military failure once. Considering this, Ahmet is the most powerful. However, for the same reason, Ahmet is at the greatest disadvantage.”

“Hm?”

The Ming and Japanese officials, expressing doubt at the Imperial official’s answer, soon understood the meaning and nodded.

“I see. Since he occupies the most powerful position, the share he demands will also be large.”

“The other two will have no choice but to concede much to the European powers who step forward to help them.”

“Is the conclusion that they are all much of a muchness?”

To the analysis of the Ming and Japanese officials, the Imperial official added an explanation.

“One more condition must be added. The Janissaries.”

“Ah…”

“We forgot them.”

The Janissaries were the elite unit of the Ottoman Empire and the Sultan’s guard. Before becoming an empire, the Ottoman army was merely an aggregate of warriors sent from the tribes constituting the Ottomans. Therefore, organized movement in perfect order was impossible, and their military power consisted mostly of light cavalry.

The Janissaries were born as a standing army to correct this imbalance of power and move systematically. And the Janissaries performed their role excellently. Thus, the current Janissaries had become the Sultan’s most powerful weapon and, simultaneously, the existence the Sultan felt most burdened by.

The Imperial official concluded the explanation regarding the Janissaries with the following words:

“The one who intends to become the next Sultan will be the one who either secures the support of these Janissaries or suppresses them—succeeding in one of the two.”

“Is there any information on whom the Janissaries support currently?”

“It hasn’t been revealed outwardly, but according to rumors leaking out little by little, it seems they support Suleiman.”

“Hmm…”

“Hmm… Then the choice of the European powers…”

Having heard the explanation, the Ming and Japanese officials began to weigh who the European powers would choose as a candidate.

• First of all, judging by current power alone, Ahmet is the strongest. Therefore, it is certain that preference for Ahmet will be the lowest.
• Then, the remaining ones are Korkut and Suleiman. Both are in situations where they have suffered significant military losses, so it is certain they will concede much.
• Here, the variable called the Janissaries arises. If so, Suleiman also moves away from being the choice.
• Korkut is the best partner, but this puts the European powers in a bind. As competition arises among the European powers, Korkut could conversely end up in the superior position.
• Then, the best way to avoid this is…

The Ming and Japanese officials, who had reasoned up to this point, all uttered the same word.

“Purge.”

“A purge would be the answer.”

At the words of the Ming and Japanese officials, the Imperial officials also nodded.

“In Persia, the Qizilbash; in the Ottoman Empire, the Janissaries will become the targets of purges.”

At the words close to certainty, a Ming official who had been silent raised an objection to his colleagues.

“The Janissaries are the most important card protecting the Sultan’s power; would they really purge them?”

“Lord Wang, a purge is entirely possible. Have you forgotten that politics is about eliminating even the most powerful card if it is not mine?”

“I agree. Especially if it is an existence that makes the Sultan walk on eggshells, it is best to get rid of it when there is an opportunity. Have you forgotten ‘When the cunning hare is caught, the hunting dog is boiled’?”